BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



Subfamily, ALCIN^ (Typical Auks). 



THE RAZORBILL 



(Alca torda). 

 Plate 3. 



With the preceding species we began our treatment of 

 those members of the Auk group that are found in the 

 British Isles ; but, as the Puffin and a few Pacific relatives 

 form a separate subdivision of the group, we have thought 

 it better to link our remarks on the Auks in general to 

 our discussion of a more typical representative, like the 

 Razorbill. 



The Auks are confined to the northern hemisphere, 

 breeding chiefly on sub- Arctic coasts. Their headquarters 

 are in the north Pacific ; but a number of species inhabit 

 the north Atlantic, and four of these — three of them in 

 large numbers — resort to the British coasts each breeding 

 season. 



The Auks obtain most of their food by diving and 

 swimming under water, at which they are exceedingly 

 expert. The shape of their bodies is adapted to this mode 

 of life. The legs are placed far back, as in the Grebes and 

 Divers, causing the birds to assume on land the familiar, 

 almost upright position. Typically, the plumage is dark 

 brown or black on head, neck, back, and wings, and white 

 on the under-parts, and in winter on the throat and chin. 



The Razorbill is a good illustration of the characteristics 

 of the Auk group, of which it is the type ; formerly, indeed, 

 it was called ' The Auk,' but this name is not now applied 

 without qualifying adjective to any single member of the 

 order. The name 'Razorbill*" is, of course, a reference to 



